If you haven't read my other post yet, I'm greatly struggling with fighting frizz and finding a way to define my curls. The other day I cam across the Ouidad "Rake and Shake" technique (you can find the video demonstration on the Ouidad website or on youtube). They demonstrated the technique on someone with 3a hair or something like that, but it made me wonder if the technique works for those with tighter curls (3c and up)? Please tell me your experience trying it? I would also like to know your recommendations for good products (specifically leave-in conditioners) or techniques to help define curls. Thanks!

Here's the link for the Ouidad videos including the rake and shake technique:

More more specifically, I recommend using a paddle brush instead of your fingers. I'm sorry, but I don't consider the girl demonstrating that technique on the video a curly, and you have to be careful about what kinds of videos you watch. If you need help and advice, only people with your hair type are reliable sources of information. Why? Because they know almost exactly what you're going through. It's hard to ask a 2a what to do with 3c hair and vice versa.

As for leave ins, I recommend using KCKT. I also use KCCC. How long is your hair?

This is what has been working for my just above shoulder length (unstretched) 3c hair:
1. Once a week, I sulfate free shampoo and deep condition (with organic shea butter).
2. I always rinse my hair with cold water to seal it.

Then if I'm doing a wash and go, I:
3. dump a palmful of KCKT in my hair, and then rub a palmful of KCCC through my hair.
4. I comb it all through with my paddle brush. (BTW, The paddle brush is KEY to defining curls. Mine actually get a little too defined. Try it- take your fine tooth comb if you have one, and gently glide it through a small wet section of your hair. If your hair is like mine, it coils like a madman.)Or, if I'm doing a twist out, I:
3. Dump a palmful of KCKT in my hair, distributing it evenly.
4. Divide my hair into 12 sections
5. Comb each section with my paddle brush, and then apply KCCC before twisting it all up.

I repeat the steps 3-4(5) as needed during the rest of the week. Recently, I'd discovered that my hair may be a fan of protein, but I'm still working on confirming this.

Due to this technique, I'm currently on day 3 twist-out curls. Haven't felt the need to re-do them.

Hope this helps!

KsLiZCuRlZ

07-28-2011 03:43 PM

It works, but if I want elongation I shingle more which is just smoothing the product throught the hair

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frizzybarbie

07-28-2011 08:05 PM

It works for me if I want to separate my curls instead having them clump.

Elizcosta

07-28-2011 09:25 PM

I don't really see how that girl is not a curly since I guess that wouldn't make me a curly either but anyway... I find rake and shake works better for me if I want to have complete product coverage but the curls are more separated. I also get less frizz than I do with scrunching in product. Im not a 3c but I would imagine it would work, but your end result might look different. There are also videos of the technique with other curl types on the ouidad site.

Sorry can't figure out how to do a signature on the iPod...

KsLiZCuRlZ

07-28-2011 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frizzybarbie
(Post 1730019)

It works for me if I want to separate my curls instead having them clump.

+1 It separates my curls and makes them more bouncey!

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whirlykurly

07-29-2011 03:35 AM

Thanks everyone for your input! I think I'll try the paddle brush technique as suggested by craftykell (I will also look up the products you suggested). If that doesn't work I'll definitely try out the rake and shake technique. Both methods sound like they might help define my curls a bit better and stop my hair from clumping up like it usually does.

I'm 4a but my curls are naturally pretty defined. I wouldn't recommend a paddle brush because it will just make hair frizz out and no definition. The rake and shake method should work on 3c hair. I have 4a/4b/3c/3b hair (patches of all but 4a) and it works for me. But don't over do it, because it might back fire and just frizz and lose definition.

CraftyKell

07-30-2011 08:53 AM

Favoritecolorblu, wow do you have a whole lot of hair types! Maybe that's why the finer combing method doesn't work for you. My paddle brush/fine tooth comb makes my wet hair coil like you wouldn't believe. You're right, my 4a sections (edges) don't curl as much, but it's still better than it was before I combed it through. Detangling while wet and covered in styling products prevents frizz for me.

I'm sure its very pretty. :) I love long curly hair. If that stylist hadnt layered my hair so weird, all of my hair would be shoulder length, instead of just my nape. -_- Oh well.

CraftyKell

07-30-2011 09:03 AM

Elizcosta, I just meant that there are "wavies" and then there are "curlies." Sorry about that!

subbrock

07-30-2011 09:07 AM

It works. I actually went to Ouidad and that's the method they used for styling my hair. It looked amazing. Pics are in my summer 2008 album.
Blame it on the cell phone...

whirlykurly

07-30-2011 10:38 AM

Thanks everyone for all the advice and information! It has been really helpful.

*Marah*

07-31-2011 01:33 PM

I guess I'm the odd woman out. I don't like rake and shake. I prefer SMOOTH and SHAKE. I have combo hair (3c/3b S curls..my hair doesn't coil so I don't know if that's why rake and shake doesn't work for me or not) so all raking does is leave me with a bunch of puffed out waves. I don't prefer that look.

So what I do is if I'm using a gel or cream..is do what the girl in the video did but I SMOOTH the product from roots to tips between my two hands. I don't rake. Then I hold by the ends and shake like the lady in the video. Air dry, hooded dryer, or diffuse.

I get better clumped curls that way..and I'm looking less wavy.

whirlykurly

08-01-2011 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marah Mizrahi
(Post 1731879)

I guess I'm the odd woman out. I don't like rake and shake. I prefer SMOOTH and SHAKE. I have combo hair (3c/3b S curls..my hair doesn't coil so I don't know if that's why rake and shake doesn't work for me or not) so all raking does is leave me with a bunch of puffed out waves. I don't prefer that look.

So what I do is if I'm using a gel or cream..is do what the girl in the video did but I SMOOTH the product from roots to tips between my two hands. I don't rake. Then I hold by the ends and shake like the lady in the video. Air dry, hooded dryer, or diffuse.

I get better clumped curls that way..and I'm looking less wavy.

I have a very similar hair type (combo 3b/3c S curls), and I recently tried the rake and shake method. It didn't work for me as well as it did for others (though it might have been because my hair was too tangled at the time, so I will have to continue experimenting with it). I'll tried the smooth and shake method as you suggested, since we have very similar hair textures it might work better than the rake and shake for me. Thanks for the advice!

*Marah*

08-01-2011 08:44 AM

Hey whirlykurly,

You are welcome. Hope it works for you! I have a medium coarse hair texture by the way.

curliewhirlie

08-08-2011 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subbrock
(Post 1731146)

It works. I actually went to Ouidad and that's the method they used for styling my hair. It looked amazing. Pics are in my summer 2008 album.
Blame it on the cell phone...

GORGEOUS pics, subbrock! Do you know/remember what product(s) she used? I watched the vid of her doing it but it looked like she was using some sort of serum for slip. I use mousse but I was hoping to try this method. If it only works with products that provide slip (which mousse really doesn't), I don't want to waste my time.

arkanfine

08-08-2011 08:53 PM

Ummm....both!

Some products work better for me when I rake, but others when I shake. Some days need more raking, while I prefer to be shaking.